Difference Between Religious and Secular Rituals

Religious rituals and Secular rituals are two terms that are often confused when it comes to their definitions and meanings. Religious rituals have symbolic value attached to them. They are normally prescribed by a religion.

On the other hand, secular rituals are the actions that we perform on a daily basis in a combined fashion. For example we watch the TV and at the same time take our dinner too. This comes under secular ritual. In other words, performing multitasks at the same time is the inner sense of the word ‘secular ritual’.

Secular ritual is a formal behavior of man and it is not religious in nature. Religious ritual on the other hand, aims at the performance of sacrifices, giving away wealth in charity, sanctity and the like.

A person who has the regular habit of using public transport for travel purposes is also said to be engaging himself in secular ritual. On the other hand, a person who visits Church regularly and does charity work there is said to have involved himself in religious ritual.

All religious celebrations come under religious rituals. On the other hand, all household activities and duties come under secular rituals. Secular is non-religious in character. The purpose of the performance of religious rituals is different based on the prescriptions made by different religions. On the other hand, the purpose of the performance of secular rituals appears to be the same in all types of cultures.

Religious rituals include worship rites, sacraments of organized religions, atonement and purification rites, coronations, dedication ceremonies, marriage and funerals. On the other hand secular rituals include day to day activities and actions.